As expected, plenty of double/cryptic defs and neat surfaces from Rufus, with a few other nice clues thrown in. My favourites were 11ac, 13ac, 8dn and 9dn.
Guardian
Guardian Genius 128 – Boatman
I had heard in advance that Boatman was to be the setter of this Genius, so I was a little apprehensive about it, as I often find even his regular puzzles quite hard. … Read more >>
Guardian 26,190 / Paul
Paul’s crosswords are always a joy, and this was no exception (although I only got to it after Jenny had done most of the puzzle – she says she thought it was pretty … Read more >>
Guardian 26,195 by Paul
Lots of fun, but not Paul at his most difficult even with the longer clues only falling into place late on. I particularly liked 9, 12, and 19/4. 26 was completely new to me.
Guardian 26,194 – Brummie
Looking at previous blogs of Brummie’s puzzles, by myself and others, I find that a common introduction is something like “As is often the case with Brummie, this turned out easier than it … Read more >>
Guardian 26,193 by Otterden
My first blog of an Otterden, somewhat delayed by a cancelled train…
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,192 by Arachne
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26192. I was happy to draw an Arachne puzzle to blog, and was not let down. Perhaps not her most intricate offering, but still prime value. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 26,191 / Brendan
It’s a long time since we had a Rufusless Monday: December 9th was the last time Brendan was called up from the bench. If anyone had told me the theme before I began, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 745 / Provis
Provis appears to be a brand new setter, who has started with a well-judged Quiptic, with nothing too hard for improving solvers. Across 1 Worries over the French game (8) FEARLESS Worries or … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,184 by Pasquale
This themed puzzle lacked definitions for six solutions, but the wordplay meant that there was no difficulty in working them out.
Guardian 26,189 / Philistine
I have commented a couple of times already on what a good week we’ve been having for puzzles – not only in the Guardian – and to round it off with one from … Read more >>
Guardian 26,188 by Crucible
A fun puzzle with a few thematically linked clues and solutions – I struggled with the top half of the grid until I caught on to the theme. I particularly liked 12ac, 26ac, 7dn and 23dn.
Guardian 26,187 – Enigmatist
I blogged Enigmatist’s last weekday puzzle in April last year, and can repeat almost verbatim what I said then: “It’s been quite a while since we saw Enigmatist on a weekday … and … Read more >>
Guardian 26186 / Puck
A wonderful mix of the erudite and the scatological from the ever-inventive Puck. Not since the passing of Araucaria have I learned so much general knowledge – or deployed so much I already … Read more >>
Quiptic 744/Hectence
I thought this hit the spot for a Quiptic. Good variety in the cluing; nothing too obscure; and where the wordplay was a little complicated, clear definitions. Abbreviations cd cryptic … Read more >>